(TAMPA, Fla., 1/11/22) – Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Annazette Houston as the new chief diversity officer. Houston worked previously for Pellissippi State Community College, serving as the executive director of Equity and Compliance. Houston will assume her position on February 1, 2022.
“Annazette Houston is a welcomed addition to Hillsborough Community College,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, HCC president. “We look forward to the leadership and wealth of experience she brings to the HCC community after more than 25 years of dedicated service in the higher education field.”
As the chief diversity officer, Houston will oversee the Office of Equity and Special Programs which ensures compliance with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment. Additionally, she will manage the College’s annual Black, Brown and College Bound (BBCB) Summit, HOPE Scholars program and other student development initiatives focused on minority success, retention and completion.
She says, “I am so pleased to join Hillsborough Community College's leadership team to continue its efforts toward Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. HCC's top-down intentional efforts towards addressing equity gaps have garnered national recognition. I am proud and honored to be associated with an organization that leads effort in this arena.”
Houston holds a master of science degree in organizational communication from Murray State University and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Langston University.
Houston has received numerous awards and served in various appointments throughout her distinguished career which have included serving in the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) since 1993, serving in the Tennessee Association of Higher Education and Disability (TNAHEAD) since 2008, and being the inaugural recipient of the Murray State University Campus Impact Award in 2005.
Hillsborough Community College serves more than 42,000 students annually at its five campuses located throughout Tampa Bay. For more information, visit hccfl.edu.
Hillsborough Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Hillsborough Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website
(www.sacscoc.org).